Arizona Scorpions - Photo Gallery #2

Arizona Bark Scorpion - Male

There are more than 40 species of scorpions in Arizona. The Arizona Bark Scorpion is the only species that is really of concern to most people, since it is the one with powerful enough venom to cause harm as a result of a sting. The Arizona Bark Scorpion isn't very big -- usually no more than three inches in length. They are very common in the Phoenix area. Unfortunately for people who have a fear of scorpions, they do not stay outside; they can be found inside many homes around the Valley of the Sun.

If you have taken a photo of an Arizona scorpion (or your hand or foot after having been stung by a scorpion) and you would like to submit the picture for inclusion in this photo gallery, here is how you do it. please include the general part of town where the photo was taken. Your photo might also be featured in the About.com Phoenix newsletter!

Arizona Bark Scorpion

If you've photographed an Arizona scorpion (or your hand or foot after being stung by a scorpion) and you'd like to submit the picture, here's how you do it.

From the photographer: "This Arizona Bark Scorpion was alive inside our dishwasher handle in San [Tan] Valley (Johnson Ranch). I went to place my left hand into the handle to open the dish washer and was stung 4 times by this critter and since I was never stung by anything, ever, I did not realize what happened. The stings I received felt like I was being electrocuted. Within seconds, my left forefinger, where I was stung began to feel as if it were on fire and the pain was so terrible that it was doubling me over with intense pain. After killing this critter, I washed the affected finger with both hot and cold water along with dish soap, applied cold packs and took 800mg of Ibuprofen. One hour later, I was in the ER and was given pain medicine, anti-nausea medication, Tetanus Booster and a Whooping Cough vaccine. According to the doctors in the ER Arizona scorpions carry Tetanus and Whooping Cough. For the next several days, my entire left hand and arm up to my elbow was numb. A few days later, just the finger where I was stung was still numb and this lasted for a little over one-week. Needless to say, I never want to be stung by one of these things ever again and to this day, I am fearful of opening the dishwasher."

Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion - It's Huge!

If you've photographed an Arizona scorpion (or your hand or foot after being stung by a scorpion) and you'd like to submit the picture, here's how you do it.

Note from the About.com Phoenix Guide: Notwithstanding the perspective of this photo, I assure you that this scorpion was not as big as bicycle handlebars! The photographer let me know that it was about three inches long.